Campaign to stop the deportation of Roseline Akhalu

About

Roseline arrived in the UK in September 2004 from Nigeria on a student visa, to study for a Masters Degree at Leeds University.

She unexpectedly developed end stage renal failure in 2005 and remained on dialysis until she was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant at St. James Hospital, Leeds in July 2009.

Roseline has applied for leave to remain in the UK but has been refused. Roseline’s consultant has stated that unless Roseline is able to continue taking immunosuppressant drugs which are costly and unavailable in parts of Nigeria, her transplanted kidney will fail and she would have to resort to dialysis again –a treatment she could not afford. Without this she will die.

Roseline has never been allowed to work and has been supported since 2007 by parishioners from St Augustine’s RC Church, Harehills and the St Vincent de Paul Society. Roseline is loved and respected by her fellow parishioners and many people in the wider community who have formed close friendships with her. In spite of her health problems, Roseline has volunteered tirelessly in the parish and is actively involved in a number of community based groups.